ANZAC Mounted Division Band Palestine

Hidden among the familiar stories of the battles, suffering and sacrifice of the Australian Light Horse lies an extraordinary story of 30 soldiers who could fight, ride—and make music. These were no part-time entertainers. The musicians of the Anzac Mounted Division were fully trained soldiers who were expected to put down their instruments, tie up their donkeys, sling rifles over their shoulders and fight alongside their brigades when called upon.

From 2 September 1917 in Palestine, these remarkably multi-disciplined ANZAC soldiers began to form what became the ANZAC Mounted Division Band. More than a century later, the story of this largely forgotten ensemble is being pieced together through a remarkable combination of a single band photograph and the wartime diaries of one of its members, the solitary Western Australian soldier and musician William Edward Harrison of Subiaco.

As is the case with Harrison’s diary, it details rather dull facts coupled with remarkable ones.  Detailed daily army grind eventually whittles away to single sentences as conditions and the sheer challenge of staying alive become challenging.  Life revolves around food, letters from home and not being killed by a mortar shell or disease.  Teenage morals give way to necessity and Harrison lies, steals and boasts about survival feats that his parents would no doubt have punished him for back home in Subiaco.

Previously uncharacteristic behaviour is displayed by most band members as the war dictates their dreadful living conditions and their fragile mortality becomes evident.  Brushing shoulders with highly esteemed officers and royalty is mentioned in the same sentence as how much alcohol was consumed after a performance.  Passionate care of their equine partners is interspersed with violent assaults for a few oranges and what trumpet part was being performed that day.

Thirty ordinary blokes aged from 18 to 40 left Australia to fight for King and Country and were in the right place at the right time to throw together a functional band in Palestine.  The joy of being able to play music together was clearly evident and the acknowledgment through financial assistance and permanent appointment to Chauvel’s headquarters placed this unlikely group at the front to provide much needed morale to send ANZAC soldiers to battle.

William Harrison’s diary details 140 performances over 20 months from their appointment until 28th May 1919.  Details of disease, disciplinary action and tactical circumstances swell and reduce the band numbers, with Harrison’s choice on discharge from hospital to stay two extra few weeks preferring “to go back to the Unit” indicative of the bond that was formed.

Person

MELLOR, George

George Strauss Mellor

1890–1946

George Mellor was a highly respected Australian musician, teacher, and military bandleader who left a significant mark on the early community music scene in Perth, Western Australia.

Born in 1890, Mellor served his country during World War I as a member of the AIF (#1616). He enlisted and became a key figure in the 51st Battalion, where he served as a Lance Sergeant and Sergeant. He was a member of Bill Harrison’s Orchestra and managed music events.

Apres La Guerre.

The 51st Battalion was well served with musical talent, and in its ranks were Sergeant George Mellor (bandmaster), Privates Lionel Hart (violinist), Alf Pateman, and the late Bert Goff (pianists).

After the Armistice the 13th Brigade was quartered at Bouvignes, near Dinant, and George and his musicians ran a dance every night in a weaving factory. They were free at first, but the demand for encores and late nights caused a charge of half a franc to be made. There were plenty of ladies, and it was a common sight to see 1,000 couples on the floor, including many distinguished officers of high rank, with wives, or fiancées (I hope!). Colonel Bob Christie, D.S.O., of the 51st., and Colonel Harry Murray V.C. of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, were frequent visitors.

A fancy-dress ball was the event of the year, and ingenious and appropriate costumes seemed to spring like magic from a district which had been in German hands for four years. Lieutenant Crocker, the 51st Signalling Officer, appeared in a life-like mask with a winking eye and a luminous nose. At the supper he was the great attraction, for, as he disposed of sundry glasses of vin-blanc, so he switched on the luminous nose and winked the eye. The outfit was improvised, and was a testimony to Aussie initiative. 

Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 – 1954), Thursday 5 March 1931, page 2

The 51st Battalion Band.

Dear Non-Com.,

The very fine picture which appeared in the Diggers’ Diary of young George Mellor enjoying his “annual” brought to mind the first time I heard George perform on his cornet. The year was 1916, place Tel-el-Kebir, and the hour near midnight. The boys had packed up and were lying about waiting for the order to move off to entrain for Alexandria. It was a calm night, and we were getting a bit drowsy, but soon roused when George entertained with numerous melodies.

The 51st Battalion had returned to bi-lets; at Buire after its second trip in at Flers. We were greatly interested when the instruments arrived and the battalion band formed up each afternoon to practice near the railway line. The language used by George in getting, the instruments was an entertainment in itself.

Later we moved forward, leaving the band behind to undergo intense training. We were, naturally, very proud of our band, and were looking forward to much music on our return to billets. However, the circumstances of our next meeting were a little stiff for both sides, as we had been several days marching with bad feet on bad roads. The band was unlucky in having to play us into Buire over the last few miles. We tried to swing   along, but found the step too quick, and were soon in trouble. The adjutant had his work cut out galloping his charger along calling on the platoon officers to keep their men in step. This broke the boys up, with the result that the band on its first regimental appearance was counted out!

Later, however, we enjoyed many pleasant hours listening to the band of the good old 51st. “Fifty-Fifty-First,” Subiaco.

Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 – 1954), Thursday 31 May 1934, page 2

Upon returning to civilian life in Western Australia, George Mellor embedded himself deeply into the local classical and brass band communities:

The RSL and Memorial Bands: In 1925, Mellor took on the role of Musical Director for the newly restructured RSL Band (Returned Services League). He was at the helm when the band received a historic delivery of brand-new, premium Besson brass instruments, an event that elevated the ensemble’s prestige in the city. He spent 24 years as a core member and conductor for the prominent Perth RSL Memorial Band, leading high-profile performances at public locations like the Ascot racecourse.

31 May 1931

Perth Symphony Orchestra

The cornet solo “Take A Pair of Sparkling eyes” from “The gondoliers”, played by G. Mellor, “was well set off by a soft accompaniment by the violins”.

MR. GEORGE MELLOR DEATH ON SATURDAY.

R.S.L and A.B.C. Bandsman.

Well known as a bandsman and as an enthusiast of the Returned Soldiers’ League since its inception, Mr George Mellor died yesterday. aged 56. His last illness was short but he had not enjoyed good health for several years. Although the late Mr Mellor played almost any brass instrument, he was perhaps best known as a cornetist. At the time of his death he was a member of the Australian Broadcasting Commission Orchestra. During many years’ association with the A.B.C. he played under the baton of most of the visiting conductors. Mr. Mellor was probably best known as the conductor of the RSL. Memorial Band, which he founded 24 years ago. One of his proudest achievements was to have been included as the only West Australian member in the, Commonwealth Band which visited America and Canada under the baton of Mr Bert Baile in 1926. Mr. Mellor was prominently associated with the administrative side of the RS.L. for many years. From 1924 to 1940 he was secretary of the Perth sub-branch of the R.S.L. and he was also a member of the State executive for a long period. Paying a tribute to the late Mr. Mellor last night the secretary of the RSL. (Mr. D. M. Benson) said: “The league has lost a very esteemed member and a great supporter, and hundreds of other diggers have lost a good cobber.” Mr. Benson said that as the secretary of the Perth sub-branch Mr. Mellor had successfully advocated the claims of many war widows with the Repatriation Department and the appeal tribunals. He had always made his services available, to sound the last post at diggers’ funerals and had been known to attend nine gravesides as bugler in one day. Although unseen, he was heard by many thousands when he sounded the bugle calls at the dawn services on Anzac Day. Mr. Benson said that Mr Mellor’s old comrade, Bugle-Major George Gilmore, who had been associated with Mr. Mellor as bugler at all Anzac Day parades with the exception of two when Mr-Mellor was again on active service, would sound the last post during a service at the Karrakatta crematorium today.

Mr. Mellor left a widow, two sons and a daughter. 

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Monday 14 January 1946, page 6

Vale George Mellor

Although he had been ailing for several years, the death of the veteran R.S.L. band master, George Mellor, after a short illness on January 12, came as a surprise that shocked a wide circle of friends. He was a keen enthusiast in R.S.L. affairs and was equally well known in musical circles, both as a conductor and a performer in the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s Orchestra. He played almost any brass instrument, but he was best known as, a cornetist and trumpeter. The late George Mellor was the son of an Army bandmaster, the late Lieut. T. Mellor, who died in Sydney a few years ago. George was born in Sydney, but came to this State as a youth and did his war service with the 51st Bn. Towards the end of 1916, he formed the band of the 51st Bn., which soon became one of the outstanding bands of the A.I.F. He was probably best known as the conductor of the R.S.L. Memorial Band, which he formed 24 years ago, and of which he was bandmaster, with one break, ever since. One of his proudest achievements was to have been included, as the only West Australian member, in the Commonwealth Band, which visited the United States and Canada, under the baton of Mr. Bert Baile in 1926. For several years, he was full time secretary of the Perth sub branch, and he was a member of the State Executive for a long period. Paying a last tribute to an old friend and associate, the State Secretary (Mr. D. M. Benson) said: “The League has lost a very esteemed member and a great supporter, and hundreds of other. Diggers have lost a good cobber.” As secretary of the Perth sub branch, Mr. Mellor successfully advocated the claims of many war widows with the Repatriation Department and the appeal tribunals. He had always made his services available to sound the calls at Diggers’ funerals, and had been known to attend at nine gravesides in the one day. Although unseen, he was heard bv many thousands when he sounded the calls at Dawn and Esplanade services on ANZAC Day.  Associated with George Mellor on these occasions was Bugler Major Gilmore, whose only absences were during the two years George Gilmore was again on active service in the Middle East. George Gilmore, with Drummer H. Tuckey, had the sad duty of sounding the calls over his old friend at the Karrakatta crematorium on January 14. Mr. Mellor left a widow, two sons and a daughter, to whom we tender deep condolence on a loss which is ours as well as theirs. 

Listening Post (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1954), Tuesday 1 January 1946, page 3

 

 

 

 

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COURT, Charles

Sir Charles Walter Michael Court AK KCMG OBE (29 September 1911 – 22 December 2007) was an Australian politician who was the premier of Western Australia from 8 April 1974 to 25 January 1982.

Charles Court was born on 29 September 1911 in Crawley, Sussex, England. He was the eldest of two sons of Rose Rebecca Rice and Walter James Court, a plumber. The name Charles came from his mother’s brother, Walter from his father, and Michael because he was born on Michaelmas Day. The Court family left Crawley on 18 March 1912, bound for Western Australia. As the Port of Southampton was stifled by a coal strike, they travelled via Antwerp in Belgium, boarding the German ship Cassel. They arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia, on 1 May 1912. The family planned to return to Crawley within five years, but that never eventuated, first because Walter Court struggled to secure a job in Perth, then due to illness, then due to World War I.

The Court family spent their first eight years in Western Australia living in Leederville, just north of Perth. Walter Court eventually obtained a job digging sewerage and drainage trenches, where he formed a good enough impression that he was referred to a plumber who offered him a job. Walter later got injured, and then in January 1916, enlisted in the army. At the time, Rose was pregnant with their second son. Walter trained at Blackboy Hill Camp and left for France in March 1916. Six weeks later, Sydney Hugo Court was born. Charles shouldered heavy responsibility while his father was away. One time, when Walter’s pay stopped coming through, Charles was sent down to the Perth Trades Hall to give a note to the union secretary.

Court’s first three years of school were at the local infants’ school. He then attended Leederville Primary School. Walter arrived home in May 1919. By then a lance corporal, Walter first served with the 177th Tunnelling Company and later with the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Miners and Builders Unit. Walter again found difficulty in securing a job. He found irregular work for plumbers H Rance and Son. As the economy improved, the work became more regular. Walter was a strong unionist and supported the Labor Party. He admired Labor premier Philip Collier and took Charles to union rallies.

In 1921, the Court family purchased and moved into a house in West Subiaco (now Shenton Park), using a War Service Homes Scheme loan. In West Subiaco, Charles attended Rosalie Primary School, and from 1924 to 1926, he attended Perth Boys School.

Meanwhile, in 1919, Court started learning to play the cornet and he soon joined a succession of local bands. Beginning at age 12, Court played in music competitions. He later joined the RSL band, which consisted of ex-servicemen, including Bill Harrison. It was renamed the RSL memorial band so that Court could join, and he became the band’s solo cornet. He also joined the Young Australia League band and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, the latter of which got Court his first job. When he was 15, the secretary of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra asked the patron, Sir William Campion, who was also the governor of Western Australia, to put in a good word, which resulted in Court gaining a job as an office boy for law firm Robinson Cox & Wheatley.  [1]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Court

The West Subiaco Scout Hall was prettily decorated for the coming-of age celebration of Mr. Charles Court, the well-known cornetist. and the function, which proved thoroughly enjoyable, was largely attended. During supper the customary toasts were given with musical honours. Mr. A. J. McLaren, in a happy and sincere manner, proposed the principal toast, and was supported by Mr. W. Halvorsen, while that of the parents was suitably attended to by Messrs. J. Dennison and R. C. Bradbury. Mr. W. Court handed Mr. Chas Court a huge key, which was attached to a large chain. Those who contributed to the evening’s pleasure were Mr. Bert Harding, trick cyclist; Miss Sylvia George and Mr. C. Thompson, while Mr. Court played cornet solos. Mr. Tom Bennett was M.C. and Mr. Fred Nice accompanist.

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DARBY, Brendon

Brendon Darby was born in Perth in 1952.

He is both an outstanding and versatile artist and professional musician.

He has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions worldwide for more than 35 years. His works are held in many public and private collections throughout Australia and overseas.

In 2007 Brendon was invited to exhibit at New York’s American Museum of Natural History as part of G’Day USA. This was the premiere presentation of his 10 year project Listening to Paintings – Australia. The multi media event involved Brendon’s live musical presentation, film and 10 major paintings describing the Australian landscape. The night raised over one million dollars for the Australian environment. It was then presented in Houston, as part of Australia Day celebrations.

Brendon Darby began exhibiting in Perth in 1978 and has exhibited in Western Australia, interstate and internationally ever since.

https://brendondarby.com

https://www.lintonandkay.com.au/artists2/darby-brendon

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Grand Dance Carnival — White City

White City Orchestra dance carnival flyer, 1928

In May 1928 William Harrison’s “White City Orchestra” comprising of six instruments (Barney Barnard – drums, Bob Schenberg – violin, Billy Williams – trombone, George Mellor – trumpet, Vic Nicholls – saxophone, William Harrison – piano) played for a Grand Dance Carnival in the Town Hall at Geraldton.  The poster advertising this event states “this band is noted for its snap, pep and good music, and has a state wide reputation, so that lovers of dancing should not fail to hear this wonderful combination.” 

A CHAMPION MUSICIAN TO VISIT GERALDTON WITH WHITE CITY ORCHESTRA

Mr, Geo. Mellor, who will shortly be here as cornetist and manager with Bill Harrison’s Orchestra, is a man who has had many and varied experiences through life. Born in Newton, N.S.W., of a musical family, he commenced performing at the age of eight. In those days band contests were very popular and little George was a yearly contestant at Sydney and Ballarat.  He has won no less than thirty two medals, apart from prizes for cornet playing. Since coming to Perth he has been conductor of the Perth City Band and of later years the R.S.L. Band.  During the war he was well known to Diggers as bandmaster of the popular 16th Batt. band. Since the war he has spent some years touring the world with the Australian Commonwealth Band, and has just, returned from America with that combination.  George is recognised as the leading cornetist in the West.[1]

[1] The Geraldton Express Monday 23 April 1928 page 3